Q. Recently, when the Powerball was over $400 million I saw a priest buying a lottery ticket. Should he have been doing that?
A. Only if he wins. Hahahaha. This is probably a question that a lot of people have. Can I rephrase your question? Is gambling immoral? The short answer is no. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
“Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive [people] of what is necessary to provide for [their] needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement” (CCC 2413).
In other words, gambling when done in small amounts is morally neutral.
The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, (such as card games) or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, though, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick” (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10).
There are certain rules and principles that govern games of chance. Some are: 1. A player must be free to dispose of and/or risk the stakes wagered in the game without harm to himself and others. That is, you cannot go into debt or risk your livelihood by gambling; 2. The player must make the gamble with full knowledge and consent; 3. All players must have an equal chance of winning; 4. The game must be fair. All fraud or deception is prohibited; 5. While everyone enjoys winning, the motive for playing the game should be one of pleasure rather than of gain.
Gambling is very addictive and I have seen lives ruined and fortunes lost because of it. You would be much farther ahead if you invested the money spent on gambling and let the market give you your return.
St. Augustine allegedly said, “The devil invented gambling.” I don’t know if that is true. Remember, as our Lord hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers threw dice to see who would get His tunic, seeking only their own benefit while being oblivious to the greater good (John 19:24).
Granted, there is nothing inherently wrong with gambling as long as it is kept within the limits of reason. I wish I had a dime for every time someone said to me, “Father, when I hit the Powerball I will remember the Church.” Knowing that they will never win, I want to say to them, “and while you wait for that day, what will your return to the Lord be in stewardship?”
If you want a risk that might give you a return, try farming. Thanks for the question.
This question was answered by Father Kenneth Borowiak, pastor of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
